Lamb Hill

The walk up Lamb Hill from Turriff is a proper little lung-buster, but the payoff is worth every gasping breath. This modest peak rises sharply from the Aberdeenshire landscape, offering views across rolling farmland and distant hills that stretch toward the Cairngorms on a clear day. It's not a vast mountain - more of a brisk hill walk than an expedition - which makes it ideal for families who want something more engaging than a flat stroll but aren't ready for serious hill terrain.

You can tackle it in an hour or so depending on fitness and how often you stop for photos. The paths are well-trodden and fairly straightforward, though it does get muddy after rain, so proper boots are sensible. The summit itself is unremarkable - a few stones and a lot of sky - but that's rather the point. This is about the walking experience and the gradual reveal of the landscape as you climb, not about reaching some dramatic viewpoint.

Historically types will find the surrounding countryside more interesting than the hill itself, with old farms and steadings dotting the approach. It's the sort of walk that works brilliantly if you're camping nearby - Ythan Valley Campsite and East Balthangie are both within easy striking distance, making Lamb Hill a cracking half-day activity between longer park explorations. Best tackled in spring or early autumn when the weather's least likely to defeat you halfway up.